My first post in months and it's a bit of a rant. I know not all of you will agree with my stance in this post, but I wanted to say this anyway.
What sparked the idea for the post was a few different encounters I've had about Kyle and I and our living situation. People are genuinely surprised that we wouldn't be living together. The very first came months before we were engaged, and it was less about Kyle and I and more about my profession. Teachers were living with their boyfriends or fiancés and it was okay. It was a little like "whoa" for me because I know teachers are setting examples. But then I remembered... oh yeah, in today's culture this is okay. The next time it came up was with the lady who was our consultant when we were registering. She didn't even ask - she just stated "Oh, so you two are living together then." We corrected her - no, we won't be living together until after the wedding. Though I can't say I was completely taken aback by her comment, I did start mulling it over. Since when did it become the assumption that couples, especially engaged couples, would live together? It came up a couple more times, including from a high school camper who I know to be an upright young woman; she was less assuming about it, more just questioning "Oh, so you're going to do the not-living-together thing?" So I again reflected - when did this become a "thing" that few people do? When did it become a surprise that a couple chooses not to live together until they're married? I have friends and colleagues who do live with their significant others prior to marriage, and it doesn't cause me to love them any less or to shower judgment on them. But it does raise an even bigger issue to my mind - that more and more things are becoming okay in the Christian faith.
Postmodernism is a term tossed around in many circles. I heard the term in high school but I'll be honest - it didn't become real for me until I learned about it again while working at camp and it was applied to real life examples. Essentially, it says that everything is okay, it all depends on your own perspective; what is okay for you is perfectly okay for you, and my okay is okay for me. We can all live in completely harmony being completely tolerant (sound familiar? It's a key term in today's lingo!) of every single person's belief.
This is apathy and being too "lukewarm" as Revelation puts it. Because everyone's beliefs are not the truth. There's only one truth, not a thousand. We're supposed to take a stand for what is that truth. Yet, more and more Christians are becoming tolerant of practices of the world and those practices are flowing into the church and its members. We are called to be in the world and reaching out to those who aren't living according to God's law; Jesus still loved the cheats, the adulterers, the "sinners"; but we aren't supposed to be of the world and participating in those practices. I don't stop loving people who are doing something that doesn't agree with me or, more importantly, God's Word. But I do have a stand and I do see certain things as wrong and can express that.
This is the first time I'm really voicing this next admission out loud (or, in writing I suppose) but teenage me wasn't always sure of this. I knew what the Bible said but I didn't want to be seen as narrow-minded, a bigot, or intolerant. I wanted to show Christianly love. But you know what? Showing God's love doesn't mean I should be okay with what's going on. It doesn't mean I just go with the flow and accept what others are doing as fine when I'm aware God's Word says it isn't.
Though I could discuss many hot issues of today, let's return to the issue that sparked this post - cohabitation prior to marriage. The problem I see with this is it's taking away from God's plan for marriage. A man leaves his father to cleave or unite to his wife, not girlfriend or fiancée, and the two become one. Doing so any earlier than marriage wrecks that plan and can cause a whole lot of hurt if it isn't right; I've seen that happen too. Furthermore, now, in my own interactions and experiences (without any statistics to back this up because I don't feel like researching it), fewer people are participating in that gift of marriage or are putting it off for longer because nothing changes all that much when you're already living together. I mean, I agree - at that point it's more just a formality and it can wait for a few years. But it shouldn't be this way!
Allowing ourselves to become fence-sitters about certain worldly practices is dangerous. God wants us to be hot or cold, to take a stand even if we end up stepping on a few toes. He doesn't want us completely attacking people, and some Christians go to that extreme. But he does want us to speak up for truth.
That's a big part of what is on my heart to teach to teens and young adults, because Christian teens nowadays are so tossed around by the different ideas of truth that they are a little bit like me in high school - they're scared to take a stand on one side - or perhaps they don't even know what is truth anymore. I'm thrilled to be marrying a man who is passionate about the same idea, raising the next generation to be leaders and taking a stand in their beliefs. And yes, I'm beyond excited to live with him... starting January 2nd and not a day before.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Where I Stand - May 2014
Rebecca Reed
May 21, 2014
Just 3 days less than 4 years ago from today, I wrote about the roller coaster I was about to get strapped into. I mentioned having mixed feelings about stepping out of the comfort of the West Michigan bubble to go 133 miles away. I wrote about loving my friends and family and hurting to be separated from them. I wrote about a man I was at the time missing and alluded to the fact that I was certain I'd be with him forever. I wrote about how much I loved band with Mr. Looman, my favorite foods, my favorite smells, and my favorite places to be. Now, here I am on the other side of what was an unforeseen roller coaster ride of four years, graduated from college and having numerous big changes coming to my life in the coming year. This is the end of that roller coaster ride, and this is where I, Rebecca Anne Reed-to-be-Koning, stand now.
I stand in some ways the same as who I was four years ago. I still love popcorn with tons of butter, and have found in these four years that the best is actually air-popped where I can add my own butter and salt. I still favor Italian food above all other main-course dishes. I continue to love the smell of campfires and love going camping, which is probably part of the reason I was in love with my summer job as a camp counselor in 2012 and 2013 where campfires, the outdoors, a lake, and lots of sunshine were regular. Sunsets on the beach still hold precious memories for me and where I am most able to see God, although some sunrises have also joined that league. And I'm still a big fan of musicals, and have even been able to see some big-name musicals live in the past four years including The Lion King, Wicked, Les Miserables, and Newsies.
Similarly, I still love my family and friends. Though I inevitably lost touch with some peers from high school, I still remain friends with some of the closest friends from those years, those that could never leave my heart. Three of them are even in my bridal party. My immediate family hasn't changed in number, but just gotten older. Nick is a sophomore in college now, and as we grow older and more mature, we grow closer; I'm still a daddy's girl and age has only grown that relationship; my mom is still one of the first people I turn to to ask questions or talk about my life.
Yet, from where I stand now, so much has changed. Trinity is no longer the great unknown, but my home, and it broke my heart to leave it after graduation. I added on to those friends that are a part of my heart and as close as family; it saddens me most to think of leaving them now, though I'm determined to not let graduation, or my wedding, be the end. I also took a big step outside of the country during the past four years, going to Kenya for three and a half months. Now that's outside my bubble! I learned and grew so much there, and came back even more passionate about teaching. I finished my dream of studying English Education, and am even more in love with the profession than four years ago, much in part due to my professors and hands-on experiences. I am so excited to go out and be a goofy, dorky, English teacher, touching the lives of students.
Which brings me to the next big step into the unknown that I now make four years later – to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. God is calling me out of my bubble – both Michigan and Trinity – to a new opportunity. I have been so blessed to have been offered a teaching job already, a couple days before I walked across the stage, as a middle school language arts teacher at Sheboygan Christian School. Christian education is where my heart is, and from all I hear the community in Sheboygan is incredible, so I'm growing more and more excited to take this step. But I won't pretend it isn't sad to move even further away from West Michigan, saying goodbye to not only my friends from college but also those whom I love most at my first, and true, home.
The move to Sheboygan also brings more big steps. I have to find an apartment and pay bills. I went through exit loan counseling and, to put it lightly, it'll be quite the undertaking for the next decade. I'll really be on my own – what I thought was “on my own” four years ago was not completely on my own. I have to be a real person now.
If that wasn't enough change, I'll be changing my name and status too. Yup, I'm getting married in January and it's to a man that four years ago I wouldn't have dreamed I'd marry. But God knew what he was doing, and prepared me in these past four years to be a wife and life-partner to the man whom He was also preparing for me. Kyle Koning is an incredible man of God and romantic through and through, and I eagerly anticipate beginning my life with him at the start of 2015.
Four years ago I pictured myself getting strapped into a roller coaster ride where I wasn't sure what twists and turns would come. That ride certainly had plenty of twists, turns, loops, and perhaps a little bit of screaming. I know I could not have painted the picture of my life as it is now when I was 18. But now I step off this ride, and instead of getting on another, I want to think of this next portion in a metaphor that fits where I've invested much of my time this past four years – the theatre. I stand once again not sure what twists will come in this next portion of my life. God is writing the play of my life, though, with all its plot twists, tragedy, and humor. I've been looking forward to this play for years and I'm already on the edge of my seat to see what will happen. Five, four, three, two, one... Lights up!
May 21, 2014
Just 3 days less than 4 years ago from today, I wrote about the roller coaster I was about to get strapped into. I mentioned having mixed feelings about stepping out of the comfort of the West Michigan bubble to go 133 miles away. I wrote about loving my friends and family and hurting to be separated from them. I wrote about a man I was at the time missing and alluded to the fact that I was certain I'd be with him forever. I wrote about how much I loved band with Mr. Looman, my favorite foods, my favorite smells, and my favorite places to be. Now, here I am on the other side of what was an unforeseen roller coaster ride of four years, graduated from college and having numerous big changes coming to my life in the coming year. This is the end of that roller coaster ride, and this is where I, Rebecca Anne Reed-to-be-Koning, stand now.
I stand in some ways the same as who I was four years ago. I still love popcorn with tons of butter, and have found in these four years that the best is actually air-popped where I can add my own butter and salt. I still favor Italian food above all other main-course dishes. I continue to love the smell of campfires and love going camping, which is probably part of the reason I was in love with my summer job as a camp counselor in 2012 and 2013 where campfires, the outdoors, a lake, and lots of sunshine were regular. Sunsets on the beach still hold precious memories for me and where I am most able to see God, although some sunrises have also joined that league. And I'm still a big fan of musicals, and have even been able to see some big-name musicals live in the past four years including The Lion King, Wicked, Les Miserables, and Newsies.
Similarly, I still love my family and friends. Though I inevitably lost touch with some peers from high school, I still remain friends with some of the closest friends from those years, those that could never leave my heart. Three of them are even in my bridal party. My immediate family hasn't changed in number, but just gotten older. Nick is a sophomore in college now, and as we grow older and more mature, we grow closer; I'm still a daddy's girl and age has only grown that relationship; my mom is still one of the first people I turn to to ask questions or talk about my life.
Yet, from where I stand now, so much has changed. Trinity is no longer the great unknown, but my home, and it broke my heart to leave it after graduation. I added on to those friends that are a part of my heart and as close as family; it saddens me most to think of leaving them now, though I'm determined to not let graduation, or my wedding, be the end. I also took a big step outside of the country during the past four years, going to Kenya for three and a half months. Now that's outside my bubble! I learned and grew so much there, and came back even more passionate about teaching. I finished my dream of studying English Education, and am even more in love with the profession than four years ago, much in part due to my professors and hands-on experiences. I am so excited to go out and be a goofy, dorky, English teacher, touching the lives of students.
Which brings me to the next big step into the unknown that I now make four years later – to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. God is calling me out of my bubble – both Michigan and Trinity – to a new opportunity. I have been so blessed to have been offered a teaching job already, a couple days before I walked across the stage, as a middle school language arts teacher at Sheboygan Christian School. Christian education is where my heart is, and from all I hear the community in Sheboygan is incredible, so I'm growing more and more excited to take this step. But I won't pretend it isn't sad to move even further away from West Michigan, saying goodbye to not only my friends from college but also those whom I love most at my first, and true, home.
The move to Sheboygan also brings more big steps. I have to find an apartment and pay bills. I went through exit loan counseling and, to put it lightly, it'll be quite the undertaking for the next decade. I'll really be on my own – what I thought was “on my own” four years ago was not completely on my own. I have to be a real person now.
If that wasn't enough change, I'll be changing my name and status too. Yup, I'm getting married in January and it's to a man that four years ago I wouldn't have dreamed I'd marry. But God knew what he was doing, and prepared me in these past four years to be a wife and life-partner to the man whom He was also preparing for me. Kyle Koning is an incredible man of God and romantic through and through, and I eagerly anticipate beginning my life with him at the start of 2015.
Four years ago I pictured myself getting strapped into a roller coaster ride where I wasn't sure what twists and turns would come. That ride certainly had plenty of twists, turns, loops, and perhaps a little bit of screaming. I know I could not have painted the picture of my life as it is now when I was 18. But now I step off this ride, and instead of getting on another, I want to think of this next portion in a metaphor that fits where I've invested much of my time this past four years – the theatre. I stand once again not sure what twists will come in this next portion of my life. God is writing the play of my life, though, with all its plot twists, tragedy, and humor. I've been looking forward to this play for years and I'm already on the edge of my seat to see what will happen. Five, four, three, two, one... Lights up!
Sunday, May 11, 2014
My Story is Just Beginning
**final student teaching**
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-15
This week was about endings at student teaching. My students each day saw more things come off the walls as my teacher begins packing the classroom. I taught them for the last time on Monday, then spent the rest of the week assisting as necessary, finishing grading, or just observing. I attended the declamation end-of-the-year party with some of the funniest and most energetic students. I turned my technology tools back in to the tech office. Then I walked out of the door for the last time on Friday afternoon. For this reason, I thought about starting out this post with 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I must say, this semester – and this college experience – may have seemed a bit like a marathon at times, or a battle, and I do feel a bit victorious.
Yet, it isn't the end in many aspects. Instead, I'm striving forward towards where God is calling me next. This placement has prepared me for that. The principals gave me great advice in a mock interview Thursday which I carried into my first interview on Friday. In that interview, I was asked to talk about what this student teaching has taught me – and it has certainly taught me a lot about management, about planning, about connecting to students, and about how to implement all the knowledge and passion inside of me into the classroom daily.
Thankfully, I've also had two other calls for interviews and more applications continue to be filled out. Even so, I'm struggling to rely on what God has planned. I'm fearful about the future, afraid that I won't get a job or that I won't have money. I've taken a hard hit not having any income for this semester and I don't know when I'll start making money again without confirmation of a position. God is breaking me, bringing me to a point where my next step is fully reliant on what He decides will happen. I just keep pressing on, though, filling out applications, preparing for interviews, and knowing that God will open the correct doors at the correct time and not a moment sooner.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-15
This week was about endings at student teaching. My students each day saw more things come off the walls as my teacher begins packing the classroom. I taught them for the last time on Monday, then spent the rest of the week assisting as necessary, finishing grading, or just observing. I attended the declamation end-of-the-year party with some of the funniest and most energetic students. I turned my technology tools back in to the tech office. Then I walked out of the door for the last time on Friday afternoon. For this reason, I thought about starting out this post with 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I must say, this semester – and this college experience – may have seemed a bit like a marathon at times, or a battle, and I do feel a bit victorious.
Yet, it isn't the end in many aspects. Instead, I'm striving forward towards where God is calling me next. This placement has prepared me for that. The principals gave me great advice in a mock interview Thursday which I carried into my first interview on Friday. In that interview, I was asked to talk about what this student teaching has taught me – and it has certainly taught me a lot about management, about planning, about connecting to students, and about how to implement all the knowledge and passion inside of me into the classroom daily.
Thankfully, I've also had two other calls for interviews and more applications continue to be filled out. Even so, I'm struggling to rely on what God has planned. I'm fearful about the future, afraid that I won't get a job or that I won't have money. I've taken a hard hit not having any income for this semester and I don't know when I'll start making money again without confirmation of a position. God is breaking me, bringing me to a point where my next step is fully reliant on what He decides will happen. I just keep pressing on, though, filling out applications, preparing for interviews, and knowing that God will open the correct doors at the correct time and not a moment sooner.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
The final laps
**student teaching week 16**
Can it possibly be? Can this be my last week? Can it be that I find myself floating above the current of stress and anxiety, done with nearly everything for this semester?
Can I be going into my weeks of lasts here at Trinity?
Okay, the final line here is probably the saddest and I'm really trying not to dwell on it. The rest of it has me singing “hallelujah!”
Tomorrow marks my last day actually teaching in the classroom. Ms. Lynch has a day off, so I'm pretty much just teaching what she would be if she were there, and then Tuesday-Friday it's all her while I assist. One of my friends commented how I can say I came out of this experience alive, but I suppose I shouldn't speak too soon.
This past week was overall pretty average. I've found that in the structured instructional time I have a groove and usually feel in control of the situation. There are certain periods on certain days this isn't true, but overall it wasn't a bad week. The Dojo system works well for some kids, and others just continue what they were doing regardless. Fourth and fifth periods cause me the most issue, which is ironic since originally Ms. Lynch told me those were two classes that were her easiest to handle. I have students sending each other pictures the whole class period during fourth and students threatening to pee themselves or feuds breaking out during fifth. I'm not always perfect with how I handle these situations, but in my opinion I'm glad I experience this for the first time now while I can ask advice and support so when it comes up in my classroom later I'm ready.
Some are even acting up just to spite me. One kid told my cooperating teacher during his detention that he just wants me gone, so will break all of the rules until I leave. Since they were Ms. Lynch's rules (something she reminded him of), we'll see how that works out for him the rest of the semester. Others have expressed this same desire – to see me go – so some of the behavior stems from this. As the assistant principal told me, this attitude of wishing me gone might not last once I actually leave and I'll have kids trying to find me on Facebook.
One of the most impressive and exciting parts of teaching was the way that seventh hour is learning and responding. This was the class that my teacher warned me about, that she said was just awful all of first semester. Most of the kids in that class are either low academically or high behaviorally or both, so accommodations and differentiation is important in that class. However, this week I got some really thoughtful and insightful responses, more so than any of my other classes – including the class that is supposed to be accelerated. These students were really getting what we were reading, really thinking about it and analyzing it. It was great and I'm pretty thrilled about it.
Another impressive thing this week was the middle school's performance of The Little Mermaid (Jr.). Being a theatre geek, I was interested to see what they put on. It was fantastic, and some of my students blew me away with their talent. Seeing them in class I never would've guessed that some of them had that kind of singing voice or stage presence. I thoroughly enjoyed it and applaud all those involved with the scenery, the acting, the music, and more.
As mentioned, I turn over the reins this week Tuesday. We've finished Poe and I can't help but shake my head at how worried I was. This unit has been the best one yet. I've learned a lot from it, since I didn't know much Poe prior to this, and the kids were pretty hooked as well. The next unit my teacher is transitioning into is fairy tales and considering stereotypes. Though this would be fun to stick around and be a part of, I am definitely ready to bow out and move on to what these final weeks at Trinity will bring.
Since I've been so focused on student teaching, I was honestly a little taken aback when talking to my friends and realizing I'm already taking part in so many lasts here at Trinity, lasts of things that were important to my time here. Now that I have a weight off my shoulders, I am not letting these final days slip by unnoticed or unappreciated. This school has been amazing to me and while I look forward to what God brings in my future – a new marriage, a new job (interviews this week!), a new living situation – I will cherish everything I've experienced here and will not let go easily.
But before we get into all of that sentimental stuff... I do have one week left at school, and two at Trinity. It's time to carpe diem!
Can it possibly be? Can this be my last week? Can it be that I find myself floating above the current of stress and anxiety, done with nearly everything for this semester?
Can I be going into my weeks of lasts here at Trinity?
Okay, the final line here is probably the saddest and I'm really trying not to dwell on it. The rest of it has me singing “hallelujah!”
Tomorrow marks my last day actually teaching in the classroom. Ms. Lynch has a day off, so I'm pretty much just teaching what she would be if she were there, and then Tuesday-Friday it's all her while I assist. One of my friends commented how I can say I came out of this experience alive, but I suppose I shouldn't speak too soon.
This past week was overall pretty average. I've found that in the structured instructional time I have a groove and usually feel in control of the situation. There are certain periods on certain days this isn't true, but overall it wasn't a bad week. The Dojo system works well for some kids, and others just continue what they were doing regardless. Fourth and fifth periods cause me the most issue, which is ironic since originally Ms. Lynch told me those were two classes that were her easiest to handle. I have students sending each other pictures the whole class period during fourth and students threatening to pee themselves or feuds breaking out during fifth. I'm not always perfect with how I handle these situations, but in my opinion I'm glad I experience this for the first time now while I can ask advice and support so when it comes up in my classroom later I'm ready.
Some are even acting up just to spite me. One kid told my cooperating teacher during his detention that he just wants me gone, so will break all of the rules until I leave. Since they were Ms. Lynch's rules (something she reminded him of), we'll see how that works out for him the rest of the semester. Others have expressed this same desire – to see me go – so some of the behavior stems from this. As the assistant principal told me, this attitude of wishing me gone might not last once I actually leave and I'll have kids trying to find me on Facebook.
One of the most impressive and exciting parts of teaching was the way that seventh hour is learning and responding. This was the class that my teacher warned me about, that she said was just awful all of first semester. Most of the kids in that class are either low academically or high behaviorally or both, so accommodations and differentiation is important in that class. However, this week I got some really thoughtful and insightful responses, more so than any of my other classes – including the class that is supposed to be accelerated. These students were really getting what we were reading, really thinking about it and analyzing it. It was great and I'm pretty thrilled about it.
Another impressive thing this week was the middle school's performance of The Little Mermaid (Jr.). Being a theatre geek, I was interested to see what they put on. It was fantastic, and some of my students blew me away with their talent. Seeing them in class I never would've guessed that some of them had that kind of singing voice or stage presence. I thoroughly enjoyed it and applaud all those involved with the scenery, the acting, the music, and more.
As mentioned, I turn over the reins this week Tuesday. We've finished Poe and I can't help but shake my head at how worried I was. This unit has been the best one yet. I've learned a lot from it, since I didn't know much Poe prior to this, and the kids were pretty hooked as well. The next unit my teacher is transitioning into is fairy tales and considering stereotypes. Though this would be fun to stick around and be a part of, I am definitely ready to bow out and move on to what these final weeks at Trinity will bring.
Since I've been so focused on student teaching, I was honestly a little taken aback when talking to my friends and realizing I'm already taking part in so many lasts here at Trinity, lasts of things that were important to my time here. Now that I have a weight off my shoulders, I am not letting these final days slip by unnoticed or unappreciated. This school has been amazing to me and while I look forward to what God brings in my future – a new marriage, a new job (interviews this week!), a new living situation – I will cherish everything I've experienced here and will not let go easily.
But before we get into all of that sentimental stuff... I do have one week left at school, and two at Trinity. It's time to carpe diem!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Chin up, I'm pressing on
**student teaching week 12**
After this placement, I'm a pro at dealing with standardized tests in my planning. Yes, I planned around a third standardized test this past week. It's getting to be a little nuts but I think I'm clear for the next two weeks.
The beginning of my week was quite eventful, but in a good way. I excitedly told my teacher I had the best Easter weekend of my life the first thing Tuesday morning and showed off my left hand a little. She was so excited that she sent out an email to the whole staff – and that's a lot of staff. It was a fantastic day after that, with teachers coming up and congratulating me all the time. I felt a part of the staff in a way I haven't yet. My homeroom students caught wind of it right away in the morning, and so they also spread the word a little (although I found out later a majority of my classes actually didn't know until Thursday, but not a big deal).
We also had MAP testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, which meant I didn't see all of my classes for either of those days. Though I thought it would seriously mess with my planning, because I worked it all out about a week and a half before, it all ended up working quite perfectly.
Thursday things got rough again. I encountered disrespect towards me, students ditching class, and disregard for what I was saying. Yet, that being said, that was a small minority of the students, and most of the actual instruction time was what I've typically faced. However, I stuck with the behavior system and put in some negative marks, and students received necessary consequences. I think that had some effect on how students behaved Friday, because most stayed in line during instructional, Language Arts time. Advisory that day was chaos, though; it's a somewhat long story that I won't go into. Yet, somehow that also turned into a blessing. Because I felt I had been dropping the ball and should've had better control over the students, I was feeling pretty down after classes ended and sent an email apologizing to another teacher for dropping the ball. She came down to encourage me, and as she was building me up and being my sounding board, the assistant principal also came in the room and tried to encourage me. Though I was still shaken up, their support was what I needed and I can go into the next week knowing a have experienced teachers knowing my pain and actually feeling the same way I am right now.
On another bright note, I'm loving this unit and not feeling near as stressed. Partially this is because my teacher is a Poe expert and has so many resources at my fingertips. Also, it's because I'm actually able to read with the students – for once! - and I find it easier to bring in supplemental material when it really is supplemental to the main part of the lesson, which is reading a poem or story. I believe I'll be transitioning out of the full-time by the end of the week, but I'm glad I got to brush up my Poe and am laughing at how stressed I was that I was going to mess this up.
Eighth grade right now is rough. They know they're moving on, so don't care as much about academics. Some have already lost end of the year privileges, so really don't care about their behavior either. I stay strong in front of the students, and never let them know if they get under my skin, but I can only take so many hits before it does affect me. I know I'm doing my job and that's why the kids don't like me right now; I know I'm not superwoman and can't see everything. I can only do the best I can and with the back-up of others around me, that's how I'm going to go into these final weeks.
After this placement, I'm a pro at dealing with standardized tests in my planning. Yes, I planned around a third standardized test this past week. It's getting to be a little nuts but I think I'm clear for the next two weeks.
The beginning of my week was quite eventful, but in a good way. I excitedly told my teacher I had the best Easter weekend of my life the first thing Tuesday morning and showed off my left hand a little. She was so excited that she sent out an email to the whole staff – and that's a lot of staff. It was a fantastic day after that, with teachers coming up and congratulating me all the time. I felt a part of the staff in a way I haven't yet. My homeroom students caught wind of it right away in the morning, and so they also spread the word a little (although I found out later a majority of my classes actually didn't know until Thursday, but not a big deal).
We also had MAP testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, which meant I didn't see all of my classes for either of those days. Though I thought it would seriously mess with my planning, because I worked it all out about a week and a half before, it all ended up working quite perfectly.
Thursday things got rough again. I encountered disrespect towards me, students ditching class, and disregard for what I was saying. Yet, that being said, that was a small minority of the students, and most of the actual instruction time was what I've typically faced. However, I stuck with the behavior system and put in some negative marks, and students received necessary consequences. I think that had some effect on how students behaved Friday, because most stayed in line during instructional, Language Arts time. Advisory that day was chaos, though; it's a somewhat long story that I won't go into. Yet, somehow that also turned into a blessing. Because I felt I had been dropping the ball and should've had better control over the students, I was feeling pretty down after classes ended and sent an email apologizing to another teacher for dropping the ball. She came down to encourage me, and as she was building me up and being my sounding board, the assistant principal also came in the room and tried to encourage me. Though I was still shaken up, their support was what I needed and I can go into the next week knowing a have experienced teachers knowing my pain and actually feeling the same way I am right now.
On another bright note, I'm loving this unit and not feeling near as stressed. Partially this is because my teacher is a Poe expert and has so many resources at my fingertips. Also, it's because I'm actually able to read with the students – for once! - and I find it easier to bring in supplemental material when it really is supplemental to the main part of the lesson, which is reading a poem or story. I believe I'll be transitioning out of the full-time by the end of the week, but I'm glad I got to brush up my Poe and am laughing at how stressed I was that I was going to mess this up.
Eighth grade right now is rough. They know they're moving on, so don't care as much about academics. Some have already lost end of the year privileges, so really don't care about their behavior either. I stay strong in front of the students, and never let them know if they get under my skin, but I can only take so many hits before it does affect me. I know I'm doing my job and that's why the kids don't like me right now; I know I'm not superwoman and can't see everything. I can only do the best I can and with the back-up of others around me, that's how I'm going to go into these final weeks.
Monday, April 21, 2014
My fairy tale proposal
Taking a break from the student teaching posts for a minute...
I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE BEST THURSDAY EVER.
As most of you know, I've been dating Mr. Kyle Koning quite seriously over the past year. We'd talked marriage plenty. My family loves him, I love him, and everything was pointing towards marriage. I knew it was only a matter of time until he proposed, but I wasn't sure if he was capable of surprising me.
But, oh, he did.
I was driving home from Trinity for Easter weekend on Thursday.
My dad called to see how far I was - normal.
He said we were going to go out to dinner - normal.
My best friend, Jess, decided to go come too - normal.
I got home, and Jess and Mom were there waiting.
Asked where dad was, Mom said he was held up at work - normal (if you know my dad's job, this is normal)
Mom told me to brush my hair - caught me off guard, but yeah, okay.
Set off for the restaurant, where dad would meet us - normal.
Dad was going to be late - okay.
Pulled off the road to go to my favorite park - ummmm... okay, sure.
Started walking and talking with Mom and Jess - okay
Kyle pops out from behind a tree - what.
I spot Dad with a camera - I told Kyle that when he proposed, someone HAD to take pictures... OH MY WORD. I KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
So then the love of my life held me and quoted Lord of the Rings to me about spending his one life with me rather than a thousand eternities alone. Then he got down on a knee, called me by my full name and asked me to marry him.
Response: "Yes, of course!"
So with my best friend and my parents watching, as the sun set with brilliant hues of pink, I got engaged to the man I'm going to spend eternity with.
Is this guy good, or what?
I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE BEST THURSDAY EVER.
As most of you know, I've been dating Mr. Kyle Koning quite seriously over the past year. We'd talked marriage plenty. My family loves him, I love him, and everything was pointing towards marriage. I knew it was only a matter of time until he proposed, but I wasn't sure if he was capable of surprising me.
But, oh, he did.
I was driving home from Trinity for Easter weekend on Thursday.
My dad called to see how far I was - normal.
He said we were going to go out to dinner - normal.
My best friend, Jess, decided to go come too - normal.
I got home, and Jess and Mom were there waiting.
Asked where dad was, Mom said he was held up at work - normal (if you know my dad's job, this is normal)
Mom told me to brush my hair - caught me off guard, but yeah, okay.
Set off for the restaurant, where dad would meet us - normal.
Dad was going to be late - okay.
Pulled off the road to go to my favorite park - ummmm... okay, sure.
Started walking and talking with Mom and Jess - okay
Kyle pops out from behind a tree - what.
I spot Dad with a camera - I told Kyle that when he proposed, someone HAD to take pictures... OH MY WORD. I KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
So then the love of my life held me and quoted Lord of the Rings to me about spending his one life with me rather than a thousand eternities alone. Then he got down on a knee, called me by my full name and asked me to marry him.
Response: "Yes, of course!"
So with my best friend and my parents watching, as the sun set with brilliant hues of pink, I got engaged to the man I'm going to spend eternity with.
Is this guy good, or what?
Going Up
**student teaching week 15**
This past week improved quite a bit from the previous two weeks. Though the kids were still talkative and occasionally disrespectful, I felt better about the week and I think the kids enjoyed, mostly, what I was teaching. This week I was introducing the students to Poe, which is the next unit we begin. Despite my nerves about it, once I found a mystery story to read, I was excited to go through it with the students. And the students seemed intrigued, too, and after the first day some even read ahead to find out the ending. I could hardly discourage that, although I encouraged them to keep some details a secret. The story ended up taking the whole week, which was unexpected, but actually allows for me to have more planning ahead for the week to come. In the end, I'm more excited about the Poe unit than I was a week ago.
Another positive that came toward the end of the week is another new behavior system, which my cooperating teacher was planning to implement in the last unit of the year anyway. It involves Class Dojo, and marking when students display a negative behavior. My teacher and I discussed which behaviors need to be cut down, and what consequences we will enforce. It was then explained to the students, and has already been implemented. I'm hoping this also improves the students' behaviors or reinforces what's appropriate for the classroom.
I am hoping these next three weeks remain on the higher side as far as good behaviors and fun with the students. I want to have positive relationships with these students, and I love it when I can laugh with them. I want to end this semester on a high note, including with my students. With only three weeks left, I am leaning on God's strength to carry me through.
This past week improved quite a bit from the previous two weeks. Though the kids were still talkative and occasionally disrespectful, I felt better about the week and I think the kids enjoyed, mostly, what I was teaching. This week I was introducing the students to Poe, which is the next unit we begin. Despite my nerves about it, once I found a mystery story to read, I was excited to go through it with the students. And the students seemed intrigued, too, and after the first day some even read ahead to find out the ending. I could hardly discourage that, although I encouraged them to keep some details a secret. The story ended up taking the whole week, which was unexpected, but actually allows for me to have more planning ahead for the week to come. In the end, I'm more excited about the Poe unit than I was a week ago.
Another positive that came toward the end of the week is another new behavior system, which my cooperating teacher was planning to implement in the last unit of the year anyway. It involves Class Dojo, and marking when students display a negative behavior. My teacher and I discussed which behaviors need to be cut down, and what consequences we will enforce. It was then explained to the students, and has already been implemented. I'm hoping this also improves the students' behaviors or reinforces what's appropriate for the classroom.
I am hoping these next three weeks remain on the higher side as far as good behaviors and fun with the students. I want to have positive relationships with these students, and I love it when I can laugh with them. I want to end this semester on a high note, including with my students. With only three weeks left, I am leaning on God's strength to carry me through.
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